A BUSINESSMAN who told a court that he feared his company would have to fold if he lost his driving licence, was banned from driving for six months on Tuesday.

John Finnan, 67, told how he ran a carpet and curtains shop in Buckley, but also operated a specialised service for pubs, hotels and government buildings.

Finnan of Canadian Avenue in Hoole, Chester, who already had nine penalty points on his driving licence following three speeding convictions in 2003 and 2004, admitted driving a Transit van at Liverpool Road in Buckley in July of last year at 45 mph in a 30 mph area.

He was banned from driving for six months under the totting up procedure after his application that a ban would cause him exceptional hardship was rejected.